Overview
- Max Verstappen finished third in São Paulo after starting from the pit lane, recovering through the field with consistently strong race pace.
- Red Bull said an early tyre puncture triggered an extra stop, with a Virtual Safety Car limiting time loss and allowing a switch away from the hard compound.
- Verstappen briefly led after Lando Norris pitted, then made a conservative third stop as the team judged tyre wear would not allow him to hold the lead.
- Team principal Laurent Mekies defended the call as necessary given degradation, and Verstappen later described the approach as a good strategy.
- With Norris winning, Verstappen’s deficit in the standings widened to 49 points with three races remaining.